Designers create clothes with their muse in mind. Their muse is like a lens through which they see their collection. If they start straying from their original ideas, the image of their muse brings them back to their central concept.

Choosing your muse is the fun part. You're looking for someone you respond to, and who embodies the qualities of your designs. Your muse doesn't have to be somebody you know personally. It could be the singer of your favorite band, or just the cooler older kid down the street.

The third title in the "Learn to Speak" series, Learn to Speak Fashion covers the basics of fashion design from conceptualization to the "reveal". Its author, a fashion and style reporter, is well-versed in the fashion world, having been a long-time senior editor of a Canadian fashion magazine as well as the co-creator of a web magazine on style and culture for teenage girls. The book's six chapters begin with the idea that fashion is self-expression and tells the world a great deal about the wearer-one's attitude, emotions and likes, and that one's fashion sense tends to evolve with time. To get started on solidifying their likes and style preferences, readers are encouraged to create an inspiration board. Subsequent chapters include information about wardrobe building, shopping, clothing care and fit, and becoming a fashion designer (albeit on a small scale). Readers will learn that inspiration can come from just about anywhere- nature, places, history and pop culture, to name a few. There are sketching and sewing tips as well as very basic instructions for sewing a pair of pants (although the task is more complicated than it seems at first glance, and it is doubtful that many girls in the target age group would even attempt such a project or will know how to operate a sewing machine). Brief information about the suitability of certain fabrics to specific types of garments and the differences between ready-to-wear and haute couture are also highlighted. Runway shows, described as "fashion as theater", fashion shoots, and the business side of fashion are featured in the latter part of the book. Topics in these chapters include the team members- stylists, hair and makeup artists, photographers, models, graphic designers and editors- whose expertise ensures the success of a fashion event or project, details to consider when planning such an event, and the three main steps of bringing one's creations to market: branding, promotion and selling. Readers can also follow the journey of a dress from its initial creation in a design studio to its purchase at a retail store. Throughout the book are text boxes containing quotes from designers, stylists and photographers, and brief descriptions of the contributions of some famous fashion designers. At the back of the book are "Style Files" which describe in more detail the jobs that various members of the design team perform. (Though this section appears after the book's conclusion, it could have worked just as easily- or, perhaps, even better- if it had been placed before the conclusion.) A table of contents and an index are provided.

DeCarufel's conversational tone (even using such current acronyms "OMG") will appeal to her young female readers, while her obvious knowledge of the subject lends credibility to the text. Kulak's colourful, yet almost minimal, sketches perfectly suit the topic. The manner in which the illustrations are drawn will ensure that the book does not "date" too quickly.

With a fresh and honest, yet age-appropriate look at the fashion world, Learn to Speak Fashion gives creative fashion designer wannabes a place to start. Fun and inspiring!

DeCarufel's conversational tone (even using such current acronyms "OMG") will appeal to her young female readers, while her obvious knowledge of the subject lends credibility to the text. Kulak's colourful, yet almost minimal, sketches perfectly suit the topic. The manner in which the illustrations are drawn will ensure that the book does not "date" too quickly.